A guide to mixed-used developments in Hampton Roads

DAVE SCHLECK247-7430

Maybe this will help you distinguish one "center" from the next...

Peninsula Town Center

Where it really is: Hampton, including the former site of Coliseum Mall

What it really is: It isn't a town, but a mix of stores, restaurants, offices and more than 150 apartments (above retail space). The $207 million development is under construction and expected to be finished in spring 2009. In addition to the new J.C. Penney and the old Macy's already open, stores will include Target, Barnes & Noble and others.

Hampton Towne Centre

Where it really is: Hampton, at the intersection of Big Bethel Road and Hampton Roads Center Parkway

What is really is: Again, it isn't a town, just a 42-acre shopping center with a wacky spelling; The center includes miscellaneous stores, restaurants and a 24-screen AMC movie theater that opened in 1998.

City Center at Oyster Point

Where it really is: Newport News, along Thimble Shoals Boulevard

What it really is: Geographically, City Center is indeed located in the center of Newport News This 52-acre mixed-use district includes scores of stores, offices and restaurants, 365 homes (and growing), a hotel and a fountain park. Newcomers shouldn't confuse the landlocked, $300 million City Center with Newport News' historical downtown, which is located miles away on the southern tip of the city.

New Town

Where it really is: in James City County just west of Williamsburg

What it really is: not a town, but a mixed-use development within a county; As it name implies, it is rather "new" — it opened in 2005 and will grow to 1.1 million square feet of shops, restaurants and entertainment. There are 520 homes built or under construction now, with about 600 more expected in the next five years.

Town Center

Where it really is: Virginia Beach, the Pembroke area near the Independence Boulevard exit off Interstate 264

What it really is: Anchored by Virginia's tallest building — a new 38-story hotel and residential tower — Town Center is giving Virginia's most populated and sprawling city a downtown feel. It encompasses 17 city blocks, 4.3 million square feet of homes, offices, shops and restaurants. Highlights include The Sandler Center for Performing Arts, P.F Chang's China Bistro, and — who can resist — The Cheesecake Factory. Don't confuse it with the Hampton development known as Peninsula Town Center.

Harbour View Town Center

Where it really is: in the northern part of a city, namely Suffolk

What it really is: When finished in several years, the $553 million development will encompass 500,000 of office space, 300,000 square feet of stores, 150,000 square feet of medical offices, 750 hotel rooms and 1,200 homes. Currently within the boundaries of Harbour View is a Bon Secours hospital. A 16-screen movie theater is just outside the development.

And, talk about a "Center" conspiracy — the same architectural firm involved in Harbour View also helped plan parts of City Center in Newport News and Town Center in Virginia Beach.

Note: OK, this next proposed development doesn't have "town" or "center" in its name. But it's so large that it's hard not to mention, and perhaps "place" is the new must-use word for these sorts of developments..

Hampton Place

Where it really is: next to the Hampton Coliseum in the parking lot next to I-64, not far from the Peninsula Town Center

What it really is: Well, it will indeed be a "place" in Hampton. The proposed 19-acre development costs about $250 million with a tentative completion date of 2011. The plan includes a 2,000-seat theater, a hotel, parking garage, restaurants, offices and 58 residential units.